Dream on I understand my view as given here will be remembered.
But it is honestly held so here gos,Julia is a lot like Kevin Rudd, but smarter.
She partnered a fool, the worst leader my party ever had ever will have.
Mark Latham, a fraud a painting of a politician on toilet paper.
She will do well, be just as self centered maybe even more than Rudd.
But she will include in a God like way, her cabinet.
She too may hold back talent like Bill Shorten, weak leaders do,and in my view she one day will fall to the same sword that Rudd did for the same reasons,in time she will forget she is leader not owner of my party.
I will not be at her feet, but not an enemy, wary of anyone who found Crean and Latham of any use other than broom in hand in Parliament I stay and watch.
But I thank her for changing policy's and her victory in the election to come,this unionist till death reminds the PM 2 million members want a fair go at work.

Ummm Belly, Kevin Rudd's intelligence outweighs the collective intelligence of everyone reading this topic. That's why he reached the highest office in this country, and we live in virtual total obscurity...... he's no "fool". He possesses the highest intellect of anyone in parliament. Labor changed leaders for "political" reasons. They believe they will have a better chance at winning the election if Gillard is in charge. And they're right. It's as simple as that!

Kevin Rudd did 2 amazing things for Australia. He saved our country from a terrible, lengthy depression via his strong insistence for economic stimulus and infrastructure repair. This will be his major legacy. To put it in the language of the people "he saved our sorry ungrateful a r s e s". The other thing is of course the LOOOOOOONG overdue apology to the Aboriginal people of this land. History will show that the apology marks the beginning of Aboriginal recovery ....... there's still several hundred years to go for that recovery to be complete; our near decimation of entire cultures was THAT poignant and effective. Thank God we didn't succeed. John Howard, hang your head in dismal shame.

The general public doesn't like tall poppies, either financial tall poppies or intellectual tall poppies. Rudd was very much an intellectual tall poppy, whereas Gillard is much more "of the people". She will do well as PM and at the next election. Then eventually it will be her turn for the knife. That's "politics".

*Gawd, Yabby - what is it with you and women?*

Absolutaly nothing CJ, but in this case I'd have to
ask, what is it with you and *secret womens business*?
Did you too grow up with those kinds of hangups and taboos?

With Belly I can understand it, Australia too
suffered from the old British puritanical way
of life and many here grew up that way. Queen Victoria
was English after all.

I grew up with a Central European background and once
you cross that English Channel into France, many things
change. There never was "secret womens or mens business",
things were natural, we discussed them all as part of everyday
living and I still treat them that way.

Given your question, even your education has seemingly not helped.

Ah well, thats life I guess.

benq once again we clash, your terminology infers you know better than me.
Maybe you do, but as an activist from within the ALP/Union movement I remind you.
IQ is no measure of common sense, and just as Kevin bought us great victory, he bought about his own down fall.
He rarely heard the voice of his ministers, pushed into dangerous policy areas because he thought the love showed to him was forever no matter what.
His gains are forever history, we the ALP can now look forward to contained reform in our second term.
I think some one else will lead us to the third term election, it is on Julia's shoulders that result.
The fact is I will always think the best of Kev, if he could have his time over?
You can bet he would be more inclusive more reachable and this event would be avoided.
Do watch however to see if my prediction Julia will fall on the same sword comes true, Labor has real talent, share the load please.
In comparison name Abbott's replacement? and a deputy, like fishing on a sand hill I can think of none.

Yabby, my comment was prompted by this rather odd statement from you:

<< We'll have to have those Tampax ads banned now, otherwise little
Johnie will be asking questions about what they really do with those
things :) >>

What on earth was that about? It seems to be a complete non sequitur. You went from your usual union bashing to what appears to be an irrelevant jibe about tampons.

I'm sure it's relevant in your head, but even with all my education I'm having difficulty in connecting intellectually Tampax ads and Kevin Rudd's demise as PM.

Please elucidate - I'm sure it'll be entertaining :)

Dear CJ,

Perhaps Yabby can't get over the fact that
we now have a PM who happens to be female?

But this may help clarify things...
It's a list of top ten things that Yabby
understands about women:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.